Big Dog Sport Guide

 A lot of people think that I’m a dog trainer, but that’s not what I do. I’m a dog behaviorist, which means that I rehabilitate dogs, and I train people. It’s an important distinction, and one that can be hard for people to understand. “But Cesar,” people say, “You get the dog to behave. Isn’t that the same thing as training?” Related: Pack Leadership Technique 3: Establish rules, boundaries and limitations. The short answer is, “No.” Now here’s the longer answer. I’ve seen very well-trained dogs that still had behavioral issues. These dogs could do a lot of tricks, like sit, shake hands, roll over, or fetch — but still chewed up shoes and furniture, still barked non-stop, and still pulled on the walk. The purpose of dog training Training is meant to teach a dog to perform a specific task when given a specific stimulus. It’s the process of associating, say, a word with a behavior. The most common form of training is positive reinforcement. If the dog does the trick, the dog gets a...

Mоѕt dog оwnеrѕ know thаt it’ѕ a lоt easier tо trаin dоgѕ when they аrе уоungеr, but they’re nоt rеаllу ѕurе how tо go аbоut it аnd whаt thеу ѕhоuld look fоr whеn ѕееking оut a trаinеr. Tоdау, we’re going tо talk аbоut hоw (and whеn) you should go аbоut getting уоur puppy рrоfеѕѕiоnаllу trаinеd. Enѕurе health firѕt Bеfоrе ѕееking оut any kind of trаining or classes, аlwауѕ mаkе ѕurе thаt уоur рuр iѕ uр to date оn hiѕ оr hеr vaccinations аnd dоеѕn’t hаvе any оthеr concerning hеаlth issues. The lаѕt thing you want tо dо iѕ expose уоur dоg — оr other dоgѕ — to роtеntiаl illness оr injurу. Stаrt аt the right timе Whilе “thе younger, the bеttеr” is largely true, there аrе still optimal times fоr ѕееking оut trаining for your рuр. Fоr еxаmрlе, whilе rеgulаr trаining сlаѕѕеѕ tурiсаllу shouldn’t bе started until уоur рuрру is аt lеаѕt 6 mоnthѕ оld, there аrе ѕресifiс “puppy trаining” сlаѕѕеѕ аvаilаblе for vеrу young dоgѕ. Your рuр should еnrоll in this type оf class frоm 8 tо 16 wееkѕ оf age....

 Long before fall arrives, serious sporting dog enthusiasts have been working to get their dogs ready. In reality, they never let up from conditioning/training mode, though the intensity of their day-to-day routine may relent a bit in the off-season. Preseason training varies by age, experience and individual dog, yet experts agree success results when a program focuses on optimal training, conditioning and nutrition. Regardless of the sport, these components are essential when it comes to developing a dog for hunting or field trials. Purina Senior Manager of the Sporting Group Karl Gunzer says, “Dogs need to be in good physical condition going into the season, which means owners and trainers should focus on getting a dog into top condition weeks ahead of opening day. Those who build a performance platform that balances training, conditioning and nutrition are enabling a dog to be its best.” A pro trainer of retrievers for 20 years, Gunzer understands the rigorous requirements on ...

Spring is just around the corner! The mild temperatures boost our craving for outdoor activities, and the opportunity to discover new territory with our dogs as well as new kinds of sports and game ideas. With our 6 quick tips, you and your four-legged friend will quickly get fit for spring, ready to enjoy the new season. 1. Discovering new sports with your dog Come springtime, most dog schools offer agility courses for beginners. Scampering over hurdles in a race against time, balancing on see-saws, creeping through tunnels and coursing through slaloms – these kinds of challenges prove to be great fun for the majority of dogs. And because their owners have to run along alongside them, this helps to keep everyone fit! Agility, like most types of dog sports, involves physical fitness that strengthens the bond between a dog and his owner. Dummy training is another great way for your dog to burn up energy. It’s the ideal form of entertainment for dogs who love retrieving games. The sport...

 Exercise and dog health Keeping fit is as important for healthy dogs as it is for you. A healthy dog will enjoy an exercise regime that keeps them in shape and give them lots of ways to play and interact with you. It will also help puppies stay full of energy, and builds a strong immune system that means a dog of any age is less likely to fall ill. Your dog loves to play and be friends with you, but some breeds won’t want to stop even when they’re very tired – think about their limits and be careful not to over-exercise them. If you are not sure how much to exercise your puppy or dog, ask your vet about how much your dog needs. This is particularly important if you own a breed known to have orthopaedic problems, for example a Labrador Retriever or a large or giant breed, as their requirements may be different from smaller or toy breeds. Puppy exercise When you start getting to know your new healthy puppy, their exercise needs are easily met as they play in the garden or a park. (...

 That’s where the exciting world of dog sports comes in! Your dog can take part in a large number of new and exciting sports designed just for them – and they’re loads of fun for you, too. Some of these sports might require special accessories or a particular venue, but if you have some creativity you can train at home too. Not all dogs’ sports are about competition – they’re also a great way for your dog to meet others and for you to socialise as well. However, some dogs do recognise that they’re competing and really enjoy it – especially when they win! For breeds that require a lot of exercise, dog sports can burn of all that excess energy and promote great health too. There are loads of sports you can try with your dog, so we’ve put together some of the most popular. Happy playing! Dog agility Dog agility is a very popular modern sports for dogs, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: the training and testing of your dog’s agility skills, as well as the way your dog responds to ...

A natural diet is an excellent way of controlling your pet's weight. It usually contains fewer additives and is also more digestible. Overall, this is a healthy and beneficial option that you monitor yourself. One of the most concerning issues for most dog owners opting to give their pet a natural diet is overfeeding their dog or not feeding them enough. Do you have these doubts too? This AnimalWised article will talk about a natural diet for dogs, an organic and healthy option that can be of great help for dogs with allergies, puppies or simply any dog. Read on to find out our tips: You may also be interested in: Forbidden Foods for Guinea Pigs Contents 1. Before starting a natural diet 2. Natural food for dogs: BARF 3. You should supplement meat appropriately 4. How to start a natural diet for dogs Before starting a natural diet Before starting a natural diet, you have to observe and weigh your dog in order to understand its dietary requirements at the present time. A good way o...

Although at first sight it may seem that dog sports are activities in which only dogs participate, in fact they require great involvement from the owner. All dog sports require the dog to be trained to perform a specific activity, and in many of them the human owner must participate actively. Are you looking for ideas to get active with your dog? In this AnimalWised article we will go over the 5 most popular dog sports in the world. Some of them are intended for competition and have stipulated regulations, while others can be practiced freely in dedicated areas with the necessary conditions. Read on and discover these five dog sports below to find out which is the best choice for you and your four-legged friend. bikejoring equipment http://www.bigdogsport.com/must-have-bikejoring-equipment-for-beginners You may also be interested in: Activities for Older Dogs Contents 1. Herding: Sheepdog Trials 2. Schutzhund: Protection Dogs 3. Agility: Obstacle Courses 4. Canine Freestyle: Dance...

Fear vs. Phobia “It is a common problem for dogs to be fearful,” says Dr. Klein. “Fear is a defense mechanism and isn’t something we have to eliminate entirely. Wolves and other wild canids rely on fear to keep them alive, but when fearful behavior poses dangers to the dog or other family members, we have to intervene.” Dogs express fear in several ways. They may shake, pace, whine, bark, cower, hide, or even exhibit signs of fear reactivity, which is often confused with aggression. So, how do you know when your dog’s fear has become a phobia? According to Dr. Klein, a phobia is an “intense and persistent fear that occurs when a dog is confronted with something that might feel threatening, such as a thunderstorm. Some dogs can even anticipate it.” As with people who have phobias, this fear goes beyond a rational response. Phobias are the result of a previous experience. Sometimes they are the result of repeated experiences, but for dogs, it just takes one experience to solidify a fear...

Running with your dog is a fun way to spend time together and helps keep both of you in tip-top shape. Plus, having a running buddy can be an important source of motivation. To train your dog to be the perfect running companion, check out the following tips. The Right Breed and Age Before you start your training program, make sure your dog is suited to long-distance running. For example, brachycephalic dogs (those with short muzzles), like Bulldogs or Pugs, should only sprint for short distances. Also, be aware that running is not safe for puppies, as their bones are still growing. For most breeds, wait until the dog is about one-and-one-half-years old. Even within breeds, every dog has his own personality, and some will take to running more than others. Consider your dog’s temperament, research his breed, and take him to the veterinarian for a physical checkup to ensure that this is a safe activity for him. bikejoring equipment http://www.bigdogsport.com/must-have-bikejoring-equipm...